Tomb of the emperor with the most children in Vietnamese history

Hue is a place known by many people because it has very unique mausoleums. Each mausoleum has its own color and beauty, and clearly depicts the history of the Vietnamese nation. When you visit Hue, you will discover many mausoleums, such as Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, and Minh Mang Tomb. Today, let’s learn about Minh Mang Tomb with Da Nang Tours City!

Where is Minh Mang tomb?

Minh Mang Tomb, also known as Hieu Lang, is located about 14km from the center of Hue city on Highway 49 in Huong Tho. It took 14 years for the king to discover this favorable location, which is situated on Cam Khe mountain where the Huu Trach and Ta Trach streams intersect to form the Perfume River

From the center of Hue city, you can use many different means to get to Minh Mang Tomb. For a new experience, you can travel along the Perfume River in the direction of the Ta Trach and Huu Trach streams. The faster option is to take a taxi or motorbike straight along Highway 49 and follow the Perfume River to Tuan Bridge. This will take you directly to Minh Mang Tomb.

History of Minh Mang Tomb

Minh Mang was the fourth son of King Gia Long and is known for his great merit in reforming the country. After 14 years of searching, he chose Cam Khe mountain as the perfect location to build his own mausoleum, known as a Son.

Construction of the mausoleum began in April 1840, and the king sent officials to dig a lake in preparation. However, the king fell ill and passed away before the project could be completed.

One month later, King Thieu Tri took the throne and continued the work, burying the remains of King Minh Mang in Buu Thanh in 1841. The mausoleum was finally completed in 1843 and has been known as Minh Mang Tomb ever since.

Entrance Free Ticket

Like many other places to visit, you will need to buy an entrance ticket when you come to Minh Mang Tomb. The current fee for an adult ticket is 150k, and children and the elderly receive a 50% discount. You can refer to the full, updated price list for tickets to visit the monuments in Hue below:

+ Group 1: Monuments of the Imperial Citadel (Hue Imperial Palace) – 200K/person

+ Group 2: Tomb of Kings Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Minh Mang – 150k/person

+ Group 3: Tomb of King Thieu Tri, Gia Long, Dong Khanh – 50k/person

+ Group 4: Hon Chen Palace, An Dinh Palace, Nam Giao Dandelion – 30k/person

To purchase tickets, you can go to the gate. The mausoleum is open to visitors on all days of the week, including Sundays, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Maybe you are interested: Hue tour from Da Nang

Fanscinating Things about the mausoleum’s architecture

The mausoleum of King Minh Mang is one of the most majestic mausoleums of the Nguyen period, with all its architectural work built on the main Confucian ideas. The La Thanh campus has an area of up to 1,750m2, arranged to create a beautiful architectural complex.

When viewed from above, the mausoleum looks like a resting figure, with its head towards Kim Phung mountain and its sides at the Trung Minh lake, placed at the confluence of the river. The mausoleum is surrounded by a green color of trees, creating a peaceful and quiet space of rivers, lakes, and mountains.

The beauty is like a charming picture that draws many admirers. Inside the mausoleum, there are many architectural works arranged symmetrically, parallel to three axes. The special thing is that in the middle of the campus, there is a lotus pond that always gives off a fragrant aroma.

Places To Explore When you coming to Minh Mang Tomb

Although Minh Mang Tomb is not as magnificent as other mausoleums, it has a rather large overall scale, including 40 works inside. Because the mausoleum is quite large, it may be difficult for you to explore it all in a single day. Therefore, Da Nang Tours City will introduce you to the most attractive places that you shouldn’t miss when visiting here.

Dai Hong Mon

Dai Hong Mon is considered the main gate of the mausoleum. It consists of three aisles and is beautifully decorated. In the past, the gate was only opened once to bring in the king’s coffin. Normally, if you want to visit the mausoleum, you have to go through one of the two paths on either side of the gate. The two small gates on either side are called Ta Hong Mon and Huu Hong Mon. Anyone who enters to explore the mausoleum will pass through this gate.

Bi Dinh

Upon entering through the main gate, you will pass through Bai Dinh, where you will see statues of martial arts mandarins arranged symmetrically. Next, you will see Bi Dinh, a large courtyard located right behind Dai Hong Mon. On both sides of Bi Dinh, there are two rows of dignified mandarins standing on either side. Inside Bi Dinh, there is also a stone stele called “Thanh Duc Than Cong,” written by King Thieu Tri in ancient times. The stele describes the history and merits that his father, King Minh Mang, devoted to the country.

Tam Dien area

As you go inside the mausoleum, you will see the Tam Dien area with the Hien Duc Mon construction, which symbolizes the earth god. It was built on a square piece of land and is where the Sung An Palace is located. Inside, there is a tablet with the names of King Minh Mang and the queen. The shrine has an indescribable majesty and solemnity of the past.

Minh Lau

Crossing three bridges over the lake, you will come to Minh Lau, a square-shaped building located on Tam Dai Son hill. This is the king’s resting place after death. The location has very fresh nature, helping the king’s soul to be released into the natural heaven and earth. Minh Lau’s design is a bit oriental, both ancient and bright and poetic.

Buu Thanh

One of the destinations you shouldn’t miss when visiting Minh Mang Tomb is Buu Thanh Lake in the middle of Tan Nguyet Lake. By crossing the Thong Minh Truc bridge, you will see the king’s resting place in the middle of the Khai Trach Son hill. Every year, it is only opened once on Tet holiday for renovations, so you may not always have the opportunity to visit this place.

Experience visiting Minh Mang Tomb

Here are some experiences to visit Minh Mang Tomb you need to note to have the most complete trip:

+ In Hue, the weather is hottest in the summer and often rainy in the last months of the year. The most pleasant weather for visiting Minh Mang Tomb is January and February.

+ To visit all the monuments in the mausoleum, you will need to walk a lot and allow sufficient time. It’s a good idea to wear comfortable clothes and easy-walking shoes, and bring drinking water to avoid getting tired.

+ The mausoleum is a sacred and solemn historical site, so you are not allowed to touch or step on objects without permission.

+ Please walk softly, speak quietly, and avoid making noise in the mausoleum.

This is a summary of tips and experiences for visiting Minh Mang Tomb, provided by Da Nang Tours City. We hope this information will help you have a meaningful trip with your family and friends.